Monday, August 29, 2011

So... it's been 3 months...

I can't believe it's been 3 months since I have updated! Let me start by saying that my lack of updates does not mean that NOTHING has been going on! We have been busier than ever! I'm sure I will miss something - but I'm going to try to keep this short and sweet :) I'll let some pictures do most of the talking, but my computer is archaic and it doesn't cooperate most of the time - so forgive me for the quality of some of the pictures, I don't have the ability to edit them. Also, Preslee is not in many of our pictures :( That is not because I don't love her, it's just because she's never around! She is always at soccer or doing her own thing...she's growing up!

Porter has started Preschool!! Yes, this means I have 4 hours a week with NO CHILDREN!! I'm slacking in the picture department, so I don't have any pics of him with his backpack :( Mom of the Year?!? I don't think so...

He also took a good tumble on his scooter and cracked his front tooth vertically up the middle. His nerve was exposed, and he was in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, the tooth couldn't be saved, so he had to have it pulled. He'll be toothless for several years now because my kids take forever to get teeth - he hadn't even had this tooth for a year yet!

Preslee has turned 11, competed in a local soccer tournament (2nd place!) and a tournament in Colorado Springs (we learned how to lose at this one). She is really becoming an AMAZING goalie! It's a lot of fun to watch her progress. She is in 6th grade this year and growing up WAY TOO FAST!!

Kaidan has had lots of happenings. She continues to struggle with GI issues and bone pain. We have seen a new GI doctor - who we LOVED!! - and we have a new plan to try, so we are hoping for great results with this. We also saw a new Orthopedic Doctor - who we LOVED!! - and Kaidan will be having surgery on both of her feet soon. She has necrosis (death of the bone) in every single bone in both feet :( This doctor was the first to be honest with us, and even though it wasn't what we wanted to hear, we are grateful that we can move forward. Hopefully we can help her to find some pain relief.

Kaidan participated in the Survivor Lap of the Draper Relay for Life.

She got special treatment at Hill Air Force Base - thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation!

She also started swimming lessons this summer and she was AMAZING!! She progressed through the levels very quickly and I think swimming is going to be her 'thing'! She was invited to try out for the non-competitive swim team on September 20th! She is so excited!!

4th of July! We spent time with cousins, saw a parade, and watched lots of fireworks. Cash was fascinated by fireworks this year.

We hosted a lemonade stand at Toys R Us to help promote their campaign for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Kennecott Copper Mine (my mistake...the kids were bored out of their minds. apparently you don't appreciate this until you are older)

The kids went to Camp Hobe!! This was a fun year because in addition to the girls going to the week long kids camp, the boys were able to go to the day camp! It was a Monday and Tuesday day camp, so we were able to make a little get-a-way out of it. We stayed in Tooele with several other 'cancer moms' and their cancer cuties. It was so much fun! I didn't get many pictures of the girls because I just dropped them off for the week, but I managed to get a few of the boys. The top one is Porter, less than 5 minutes into our ride back to the hotel the first day. They wore him out!!

We participated in the Urban Challenge Utah for the Make a Wish Foundation! We did a bake sale to raise money and then my sister and her boyfriend did the challenges. It was AWESOME!! They earned points for dressing up, so we named their team the Grid Gladiators (because SLC is a grid map system). We had a blast following them around! Kaidan also talked a little about her wish experience. The kids had fun at the after party, playing some carnival games and getting soaked in the water at Gallivan Plaza - it was a hot day!

And finally, we attended SLC's first ever CureSearch for Childhood Cancer walk!! I was part of the planning committee for this walk and we worked so hard to make it a huge success. I think we succeeded! We raised over $72,000 dollars for childhood cancer research! This is something we will be participating in annually and I am so excited about it! Thank you to everyone who supported our family. It was an amazing day - from the support of our family and friends, to the balloon release for those who have passed on, to the medal ceremony, to the actual walk! It was a fantastic day. If you weren't there this year, I hope you'll make it in 2012. I promise you that it will touch your heart and it will be an event you can be proud to be a part of.

Kaidan received a champion medal - she is definitely a champion!

Many of our local cancer friends were in attendance. The stage was not big enough! That is both sad and happy for me. Sad that so many children have to battle this cowardly disease, but happy that so many are winning the battle!

Kaidan and Brielle!! Brielle has a form of leukemia called AML - she received a bone marrow transplant from her younger sister! How awesome is that?!?

So, there you have it! Summer 2011! I'll try to be better about keeping this updated, especially as Kaidan has her surgery and all of that. Thanks for keeping up with us :)

1 comment:

fun to get an update on your family and all your happenings. you were too modest though about your involvement with the walk - you weren't just part of the committee! :) you were the chair and you did a lot of work. thanks for taking the lead and working so hard. i admire you!